Diaper Drive for Embry Rucker ShelterEmbry Rucker Community Shelter in Reston is a 70-bed shelter that provides healthy, safe emergency housing and services for families as well as single men and women. St. Francis will help support families served by the shelter by collecting diapers from Sunday, January 13 through Sunday, February 17. They currently have 20 children at the shelter under the age of 5, and their need for diapers is even more critical than usual. They need all sizes from newborn to pull-ups, except size 2. Please put your donated diapers in the bins across from Millen Hall. For more information, please contact Ginger Roll at groll@cox.net

Offering Envelopes for 2019Envelopes are now available in the Narthex.Thanks to so many of you for opting out of the need for envelopes this year. If you have been given envelopes but you do not need them, please let Ginger know. If there are any questions about envelopes or the number assigned, please contact Ginger Gotliffe at 703-598-9592.

Valentine Box Day 2019Sunday, February 3rd This annual St. Francis tradition was started by the Episcopal Church Women many years ago. It has always been well received by our college and boarding students and military and Foreign Service personnel living away from their church home. It is a nice way to keep in touch and send a little love in the form of snacks and supplies; additionally a letter is included from the clergy and Valentine cards can be included as well. ***Please send addresses for all recipients to our parish administrator, at admin@stfrancisgreatfalls.org by Friday, February 1st. Recipients with food allergies need to have boxes packed by and handled with care by their parent please.*** Join us in Millen Hall after the 10:00am service on Sunday, February 3rd, as many hands make quick work so packing goes quickly. We will follow-up with a pot luck lunch and some fellowship time. Drop off snacks, baked goods individually wrapped, toiletries and school supplies at the church kitchen. Consider also, a donation (suggested $5 to $10; note the "Valentine Boxes" on check) to off-set the shipping costs. Please join us and help pack the boxes! Bring something for the pot luck to share! For questions or additional information: Sandy Smith sandy.vanmater.smith@gmail.com

Scout Sunday at St. Francis:February 10, 2019 A Scout is Reverent, this is one of the points in the Scout Law. Each year, we observe Scout Sunday on or around the Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. We welcome you to join us in celebration, whether you're a current scout or scout leader, or have been any time in your past. Please wear your uniforms, neckerchiefs, patches, pins or sashes to church! Our worship at 10am will feature the service of scouts from our own units at St. Francis, with a reception following in Millen Hall. If you have any questions, or would like to borrow or acquire some scouting regalia to commemorate your own activity, please reach out to Kevin Maxson at kevin@maxson.com.

Habitat for HumanityWe have set our schedule of Build Days for early 2019: Sat Feb 23 – Donora Alexandria Wed Mar 13 – Donora Alexandra Sat Apr 6 – Frye Alexandria: a single family new home build.For more information, see our SignUpGenius page at http://tinyurl.com/Habitat-ICUse these as an opportunity to bring your age 16+ kids to join you doing good and learning building skills. If you work for the government and have been furloughed, you can take out your frustrations by hammering on one of our projects! If you have older high schoolers, it is a great and easy way to build service hours. No prior skill is needed - you will be taught. If you have questions, or to be added to the Franciscan email distribution for Habitat, please contact Phil Pifer (philipjpifer@mac.com) or Barney Thomson (thomsonbarney@verizon.net). Please come join us this year! Follow the 'Golden Rule', learn some skills, and have fun with us!

2019 Flower Sponsors The Flower Sponsor Poster is now available on the far wall of the Narthex. Sponsor envelopes are immediately to the right of the poster. Please feel free to sign up for any Sunday that is available during the calendar year. Sponsoring flowers is a wonderful and rewarding way to celebrate a memory or occasion or to give a thanksgiving for someone or something. The suggested donation is $75 per sponsor slot. If you have any questions regarding sponsoring flowers, please contact Jennifer Murphy at jenniferomurphy@gmail.com.

The Virginia Episcopalian MagazineThe Diocese of Virginia publishes a quarterly newsletter for church members. It is available for free on the diocesan website here. The current issue (fall 2018) celebrates the ministry of Bishop Shannon Johnston and also includes articles on an Ashburn church's abolitionist past and the church in the UK. If you would prefer to receive a hard copy mailed to you, there is a link on the diocesan webpage that allows you to subscribe for a fee.

St. Francis' Annual Winter Gala -- SAVE THE DATE!Saturday, March 2 at 6:00 PMTime moves quickly in Northern Virginia and Ash Wednesday will be here before we know it. Therefore, it is time to get the St. Francis Winter Gala, penned on our calendars. Always festive and always a way to celebrate ministry with each other—mark it down!

Tuesday Evening Bible StudyEvery other Tuesday evening at 7:30 pm in the NarthexAll are welcome to attend! Questions: Contact Tracey Kelly at tkelly@stfrancisgreatfalls.org

Men's Fellowship and Discussion Wednesdays at 7:30 amJoin the Men's Group to discuss readings and topics, grow with us in understanding Christian theology, deepen your relationship with God, and enjoy fellowship with other men – not to mention free coffee and breakfast. Please contact philipjpifer@mac.com to learn more.

Tutoring WednesdaysA group of tutors from St. Francis carpools to Anacostia once a week during the school year to help students improve their reading skills. This year, we are tutoring at Garfield Elementary School on Tuesdays. The first day of tutoring will be September 18. If you are interested in becoming a tutor, or exploring the possibility, please contact Pat Ward at patwa@cox.net We welcome anyone who enjoys children. Prior experience is not necessary.

St. Francis Book ClubMonthly on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm at Great Falls Starbucks. Contact Dirk Herkhof at dcherkhof@gmail.com with questions.

Thursday Bible StudyThursday Bible Study meets at 2:00 on Thursdays for a discussion on the studay of Hebrews and explanation of what we hope to accomplish. Our Bible Study is very low-key and non-threatening as we learn together. For any questions, please check with Lynn Fallon (703-759-2082) or Odiorne Beebe (703-759-6739).

Second Story DinnersSundays at 5:15 pmVolunteers needed to deliver Sunday dinners to Second Story (Second Story offers a safe residential experience for teens who are in need.) Volunteers work in pairs to cook, deliver, and serve dinners. Dinners are made on the first, third, and fifth Sundays of the month. Please contact Jennifer at jenniferomurphy@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer for this ministry or ifor more information.